Why apply for a scholarship in New Zealand?

A scholarship is a great way to help pay your study and living expenses.

Gaining a scholarship - whether undergraduate or postgraduate - may mean you don’t have to find part-time work, giving you more time to focus on your education.

Many scholarships for international students - including PhD scholarships and scholarships for Masters’ degrees - are offered by the New Zealand Government, other governments, educational institutions and philanthropists.

Whether it’s meeting the Prime Minister of New Zealand or networking with business leaders, gaining a scholarship can open the door to unique and exclusive experiences.

You will build lifelong connections with faculty, staff, students and fellow scholarship students - the next generation of leaders and innovators. The pastoral care from your institution will help you make the most of your time in New Zealand.

Gaining a scholarship marks you out as an exceptional high-achiever and can make you a more attractive job candidate after you graduate.

University scholarships and scholarships from other types of institutions give you a unique selling-point on your CV that can help you stand out from the crowd. Leverage your scholarship on the global job market to help you achieve the career you’re aiming for.

Scholarships are highly competitive but not all are based on academic achievement - some consider factors such as country of origin, area of study or leadership potential.

Increase your chances of success by finding a scholarship that matches your qualifications and by allowing yourself plenty of time to apply.

If you’re not able to gain a scholarship, remember that New Zealand is a value-for-money destination that allows you to offset your costs by working while you study.

Hear from international scholarship students and graduates

How to apply

Gaining a scholarship requires good advance planning. Improve your chances of successfully applying for a scholarships for international students by following these simple tips.

Check whether you are eligible

Most scholarships have non-negotiable criteria and requirements. Don’t apply for a scholarship unless you fit all the criteria and can meet all the requirements.

If you aren’t sure whether you meet all the criteria for a scholarship, contact the organisation that manages the scholarship to discuss your circumstances.

Apply for multiple scholarships concurrently

If you wish to apply for more than one scholarship, apply for them all concurrently. Complete a separate application for each scholarship and make sure you use the correct application form for each.

Start the application early

Scholarships are highly competitive, so you should start looking for funding opportunities as soon as you decide to study in New Zealand.

Gathering together all the documentation required to apply for a scholarship can be time-consuming. Start planning well ahead of the advertised due date, particularly if you require other people to supply you with references or documentation.

Supply all the required information

You may be asked to provide lots of detail in your scholarship application. This may include information about your study plans, academic performance, financial circumstances, field of study and referees.

Make sure you have sourced all the required information. Before sending your application, double-check to ensure you haven’t forgotten to include anything.

Supply certified copies

Some scholarships request “certified copies” of academic information or other documents.

Certified copies must be stamped or endorsed as true copies of the original by someone authorised by law to take statutory declarations in your country.

In New Zealand, people authorised to certify copies of documents include lawyers and Justices of the Peace.

Proofread your application

Ask a friend or family member to proofread your application to ensure it makes sense, reads well and doesn’t contain any spelling or grammatical errors.

Be patient

You may have to wait for a while to hear whether your application has been successful. If you’re still waiting to hear, chances are that the selection process isn’t yet complete.